Carrier for a two wheeled vehicle

ABSTRACT

A bike carrier mounted on a drawbar for a trailer hitch receiver via a pivot mechanism that allows the carrier to pivot between an operational horizontal position and a compact vertical position. A slidable trigger bar extends from the pivot mechanism to the back of the carrier. Pulling the trigger bar from the back of the carrier releases the pivot mechanism, providing a convenient operating position. One or more add-on bike carrying tray assemblies may be attached to a first bike carrying tray assembly on the drawbar to hold multiple bikes. Each add-on tray assembly may have a respective slidable trigger bar that latches onto the trigger bar of the previous tray assembly. A pull on the trigger bar of the last add-on assembly releases the pivot mechanism. This operates the pivot mechanism from the back of the carrier.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/396,710 filed Jan. 2, 2017, which is incorporated by reference hereinin its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to carriers for two-wheeled vehicles, andparticularly to bicycle carriers for mounting on a motor vehicle roofrack or trailer hitch receiver.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Racks for carrying bikes on motor vehicles often use hangers, clamps,straps, or cams to hold the bike in the rack. These require multipleoperations to secure or release the bike. Hangers and clamps can mar thefinish of a bike assembly during vibration of a traveling vehicle.Straps are subject to loosening, tearing, and deterioration.

Bike wheels should not be free to spin in the slipstream of a motorvehicle, and the steering wheel of the bike should not be free to turn.Otherwise, damage to the bike and/or the motor vehicle can result. Manyracks do not inherently secure the wheels, relying on the competence anddiscretion of the user to do so with straps.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,875,608 (Graber) shows a folding bike carrier mounted onthe rear of a vehicle. Each wheel is strapped to a tray, and the bikeassembly is clamped to the carrier. This design secures the wheels, butthe straps and clamps have the disadvantages described above.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,659,762 (Kravitz) shows a bike carrier with deep wellsfor holding a bike by its wheels. The bike must be strapped to thewells, since it is not clamped by them. Otherwise the bike could flyupward during a bump in the road. There is no adjustment for differentsized bikes, so the wells are a loose fit, requiring straps to eliminateplay of the bike within the wells.

Some bike carriers require removal of the front wheel, and bolting orclamping of the front dropouts to the carrier. This is inconvenient,even with a quick-release hub on the bike and/or a quick-release dropoutclamp on the carrier. The front wheel must be strapped individually tothe carrier or stowed elsewhere, possibly bending the rim or spokes, orscratching the carrier or vehicle.

The present inventor has commercial success with a bike carrierdescribed in part in U.S. Pat. No. 5,833,074, filed May 6, 1995. Sincethis patent issued the inventor has improved the design, added a trailerhitch receiver embodiment, and has sold vehicle roof rack and hitchreceiver versions. The carrier described herein incorporates aspectsfrom the above patent '074, intervening improvements that were on saleover a year before the priority date (Jan. 2, 2017), and furtherimprovements not publicly disclosed as of the priority date. Interveningimprovements applicable to both the roof rack and the hitch receiverversions include the following:

-   -   a) Wheel retention arms with two parallel side arms and a cross        member, which, in combination, form an H-shape or inverted        U-shape depending on the position of the cross member, which can        be adjusted for different sized bike tires. Adjustment requires        a wrench and is limited to a selection of alternate bolt holes        on the parallel side arms. It is not infinitely adjustable.    -   b) The pivotal position of each wheel retention arm is        controlled by a linear ratchet with shallow, symmetric ratchet        teeth. The pawl can be over-rotated by the user in the release        direction, causing drag on the pawl movement while opening the        wheel retention arms.

A trailer hitch receiver version of the bike carrier with the followingfeatures were on sale for over a year before the priority date.

-   -   a) A main tray assembly with two aligned bicycle wheel trays to        receive the front and back wheels of a bike. The main tray        assembly is pivotally attached to a trailer hitch drawbar,        allowing the assembly to pivot upward into a compact position        behind a motor vehicle. The user must reach under the main tray        assembly to reach the pivot release bar.    -   b) The two wheel trays pivot into a parallel position over the        drawbar for compact shipping and storage without disassembly.        The trays lock in the deployed position by respective levers,        but the user must remember this. They do not automatically lock.    -   c) An add-on tray assembly can be bolted to the main tray        assembly to carry a second bike or up to three bikes using two        add-on assemblies. The user must reach under all tray assemblies        to reach the tray assembly pivot release bar.

The present inventor also invented a quick-release drawbar mechanism asdisclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,406,051 for use on his bike carrier. Helater devised and sold a drawbar with a screw-operated internal rod thatpushes a captive ball to extend from a side of the drawbar to lock it inthe tubular hitch receiver.

Since the priority date of Jan. 2, 2017, the inventor has made furtherimprovements disclosed herein.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Improvements herein over prior art that apply to both the roof rack andhitch receiver versions of the inventor's bike carrier include thefollowing:

-   -   a) Infinite adjustability of the cross member position along the        wheel retention arms without a wrench using a quick release        mechanism to tighten and release the cross member anywhere along        elongated slots in the side arms of the retention arms.    -   b) The pawl of the wheel retention arm ratchet has an        over-rotation stop.

Improvements herein over prior art that apply to the inventor's hitchreceiver embodiment of the bike carrier include:

-   -   a) The drawbar may have a spring-loaded push button that extends        into the hitch receiver pin hole to both retain the drawbar and        set its insertion depth in the receiver. A translation screw        moves a follower that pushes the front of the drawbar upward        against the roof of the tubular hitch receiver. This combination        provides redundant retention and proper insertion depth.    -   b) A lever on the head of the translation screw provides a        constantly attached wrench and a hole for a security lock that        enforces proper insertion direction the lock.    -   c) A trigger bar on the back end of the main tray assembly        controls the pivot of the assembly so the user does not need to        stoop or kneel to reach the pivot release bar.    -   d) The add-on assembly has an add-on trigger bar that quickly        connects to the trigger bar of the main tray assembly and        provides a trigger at the back of the add-on assembly so the        user does not need to kneel down and reach under two or three        tray assemblies to reach the pivot release bar.

In combination the existing and new features on both the roof rack andhitch receiver versions of the present bike carrier provide:

-   -   (a) Retains the bike only by the tires. Does not scratch the        bike frame;    -   (b) Quick infinite adjustment for bike wheels of different        diameters without tools;    -   (c) Bike loads/unloads quickly using only one operation;    -   (d) No straps or other secondary retention needed;    -   (e) Locks the bike steering to prevent damage;    -   (f) Prevents the wheels from spinning in the vehicle slipstream.

In combination the existing and new features on the hitch receiverversion of the present bike carrier provide:

-   -   (a) Mounts quickly and securely to a trailer hitch receiver on a        motor vehicle;    -   (b) Add-on tray assembly for a second bike couples quickly to        main tray assembly without tools;    -   (c) A main tray assembly for carrying a first bike and add-on        tray assemblies for additional bikes, both assemblies have a        pivot selection trigger at the back end of the assemblies;    -   (d) The two wheel trays for each bike quickly pivot between an        aligned deployed configuration and a parallel compact shipping        and storage configuration with automatic locking in the        operational configuration.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is explained in the following description in view of thedrawings that show:

FIG. 1 is a side view of a bike carrier for a car roof rack according toaspects of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view along line 2-2 of FIG. 1, showing a bike tireretained by a wheel retention arm.

FIG. 3 is a view as in FIG. 2 showing the wheel retention arm adjustedfor a smaller tire diameter.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view along line 4-4 of FIG. 1, showing aspects ofa ratchet mechanism for the wheel retention arm.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the wheel retention arm ratchetmechanism.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along a line 6-6 of FIG. 4 with pawllocked.

FIG. 7 is a view as in FIG. 6 with pawl released.

FIG. 8 is a back view of a bike carrier for a trailer hitch receiveraccording to aspects of the invention.

FIG. 9 is a top view of the bike carrier of FIG. 8 with the wheelretention arms folded down to the wheel trays.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view of the drawbar and a main tray assemblytaken on line 10-10 of FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a sectional view taken on line 11-11 of FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is a bottom view of the drawbar and main tray assembly.

FIG. 13 is a side sectional view of a second drawbar embodiment in aninsert/release position.

FIG. 14 is a sectional view taken on line 14-14 of FIG. 13.

FIG. 15 is a sectional view taken on line 15-15 of FIG. 13.

FIG. 16 is a side sectional view of the second drawbar embodiment in atightened position.

FIG. 17 is a transverse sectional taken on line 17-17 of FIG. 16.

FIGS. 18-20 are a sequence of sectional views taken along line 18-18 ofFIG. 9 showing the operation of coupling an add-on tray assembly to amain tray assembly.

FIG. 21 is a sectional view of the add-on tray assembly coupled to themain tray assembly as viewed from line 10-10 of FIG. 9 after coupling.

FIG. 22 shows a view as in FIG. 21 with the add-on trigger being pulledback, releasing the pivot lock bar from the pivot slot via the maintrigger and main trigger bar.

FIG. 23 is a perspective view of a translation screw with attachedlever.

FIG. 24 is a partial top view of a side plate of the main tray assemblyand a side plate of the add-on tray assembly locked together with apadlock.

FIG. 25 is a sectional view of a 1.25 inch drawbar with a 2-inch drawbaradapter.

FIG. 26 is a top view of a main tray assembly with trays folded forshipping.

FIG. 27 is a top view of a main tray assembly and an add-on trayassembly with trays and tray crossbars removed for clarity.

FIG. 28 is a side sectional view taken on line 28-28 of FIG. 27.

FIG. 29 is a side sectional view of the coupling hook of FIG. 28.

FIG. 30 is a side view of the coupling plate of FIG. 28.

FIG. 31 is a side sectional view as in FIG. 28 with the tray assemblypivot lock released.

FIG. 32 is a sectional view taken on line 28-28 of FIG. 27 less thetrigger bars, showing an add-on tray assembly approaching a main trayassembly for coupling.

FIG. 33 is view as in FIG. 32 showing a next step of coupling.

FIG. 34 is a view as in FIG. 32 showing a final step of coupling.

FIG. 35 is a sectional view taken on line 28-28 of FIG. 27 with thecoupling hook cut away for clarity, showing an add-on tray assemblyapproaching a main tray assembly for coupling.

FIG. 36 is view as in FIG. 35 showing a next step of coupling.

FIG. 37 is a view as in FIG. 35 showing a final step of coupling.

FIG. 38 is a perspective view of a ratchet mechanism in the releasedposition on a portion of a toothless ratchet bar, with a ratchet leverexploded for clarity.

FIG. 39 is a perspective view of the ratchet mechanism of FIG. 38 asseen from the side of the bike carrying tray.

FIG. 40 is a sectional view of the ratchet mechanism of FIG. 39 in thelocked position, taken on a vertical plane through the ratchet bar.

FIG. 41 is a sectional view of the ratchet mechanism of FIG. 40 in thereleased position.

FIG. 42 is a schematic sectional view of dimensions among elements ofthe pawl.

FIG. 43 is a sectional view taken on line 43-43 of FIG. 41 with a wheeltray, showing two opposed ratchet mechanisms for pivot control of a bikewheel retention arm.

FIG. 44 is a top view of a tray crossbar with bike wheel trays in twopositions.

FIG. 45 is a top sectional view of the tray crossbar of FIG. 44.

FIG. 46 is a sectional view taken on line 46-46 of FIG. 44.

GLOSSARY

“Bike” herein means a two-wheeled vehicle, including velocipede bicyclesand motorcycles.

“Front” and “back” are oriented with a motor vehicle to which the bikecarrier is attached. Thus, a “side view” of the roof rack carrier showsthe side of a bike in the carrier, while a “back view” of the hitchreceiver carrier shows the side of the bike.

“H-shaped or inverted U-shaped” herein includes a range of positions ofthe cross member on the wheel retention arms. If the cross member is atthe top of the side members it becomes an inverted U-shape.“Longitudinal” means parallel to the longest dimension of the subjectcomponent.

“Transverse” means perpendicular to the longest dimension of the subjectcomponent.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The inventor has devised improvements to the “Fast-Loading ProtectiveBike Rack” described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,833,074. The improvements arebeneficial individually and especially in combination, making the bikecarrier easier to use, easier to manufacture, and lighter. Two mainversions of the bike carrier are disclosed: a) a carrier for a car roofrack; and b) a carrier for a trailer hitch receiver.

FIG. 1 is a side view of a bike carrier 1 A mounted on a car roof rack101. An elongated horizontal tray 2 receives the tires 16, 17 of a bike3. The tray 2 may be a V-channel or U-channel extrusion that is concaveupward. A wheel retention arm 4, 5 is attached pivotally 6, 7 near eachend of the tray. The retention arms are H-shaped or inverted U-shaped aslater shown. Each wheel retention arm may have elongated slots 9 toadjust the position of a cross member (later shown) for different wheeldiameters via a quick-release lever 11. Each retention arm 4, 5 pivotsinward 14, 15 until the cross member contacts the tire 16, 17 of thenearest wheel. The arm is locked against this tire by a ratchetmechanism 20, 21 acting through a stay 22, 24 connected between the pawland the retention arm 4, 5. This causes the tires to be bracketedbetween the arms, securing the bike in all directions by its tires. Theratchet mechanism prevents outward pivoting of the wheel retention armsunless intentionally released. The retention arms pivot fully inward tothe tray when the rack is not in use. Once adjusted and positioned for agiven bike size, only one of the retention arms needs to be pivoted forinsertion and removal of a bike of that size.

Each arm contacts the tire of the nearest wheel at a point above andoutward from the wheel axle with respect to the bike, preferably forexample about 45 degrees upward from hub level. This brackets and blocksthe bike from moving, both along the tray and vertically. The bike isheld firmly in place and cannot bounce upward or roll off the tray. Thearms contact only the tires.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1, showing atire 16 in the tray 2 and a wheel retention arm 4 contacting the tirewith a cross member 25. The wheel retention arm has two side arms 4A, 4Battached by coaxial pivot points 6A, 6B to opposite sides of the tray 2.The cross member 25 is attached between the two side arms through theslots 9 (FIG. 1) in the side arms by means of a quick release lever 11mechanism. This can be a conventional quick release cam device forattaching bicycle wheels to the forks of a bicycle. Preferably, the sidearms 4A, 4B should have a spacing at or near a widest conventionalbicycle dropout spacing so wide tires can be accommodated and anoff-the-shelf wheel quick release device can be used. The cross memberincludes a retention arm separator 27, which may be formed in a bi-conicshape with a waist to receive a bike tire as shown.

FIG. 3 shows the same viewpoint as FIG. 2, with the cross member 25moved downward for a smaller tire 30. The cam lever 11 is shown in analternate loosened position 11 B. The cross member 25 and side arms 4A,4B form an H-shaped or inverted U-shaped configuration, depending on theposition of the cross member. The quick-release mechanism is shownpartly in section to show the shaft 31 or skewer passing through theseparator 27. The shaft 31 passes through the slots 9 and the separator27 from the cam 28 to a nut 29. Cam tension on the shaft is adjustedwith the nut 29, then the nut does not need to be loosened again, andcan remain at a setpoint, optionally with assistance from a threadlocking compound or other means. Alternately, the shaft 31 may beembodied as a bolt with a head on the left end and a threaded lever onthe right end instead of the cam 28, and the threaded lever is rotatedto tighten and loosen the bolt.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 1, showingaspects of the ratchet mechanism 20, more fully shown later. A linearratchet bar 34 has a pawl assembly 36 that holds a finger 38 against thebottom side of the ratchet bar. A pawl release lever 40 releases thefinger from the ratchet bar. An over-rotation stop 42 preventsover-rotating the pawl assembly in the release direction as laterdescribed.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the linear ratchet mechanism 20 thatholds the wheel retention arm 4 tight against a tire. The wheelretention arm has two parallel side arms 4A, 4B attached to respectiveopposite sides of the tray 2 at an end of the tray as shown. The wheelretention arm 4 is held against the tire by a stay 22 between theretention arm and the pawl frame 36 of the ratchet mechanism 20. Alinear ratchet bar 34 has a bottom side which may have teeth 35. Upwardforce on a release arm 40 releases the pawl, allowing the retention arm4 to be pivoted outward to mount or dismount a bike in the tray.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the ratchet mechanism 20 taken on line 6-6of FIG. 4. A torsion spring 44 urges the pawl frame 36 in a direction 48that moves the pawl finger 38 against the teeth 35. Tension on the stay22 is caused by the cross member of the retention arm 4 being jammedagainst the bike tire. This tension jams the finger 38 against the teethdue to a follower 50 on the top side of the ratchet bar acting as afulcrum. Any force that tries to pivot the retention arm outward locksthe pawl on the ratchet harder.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the ratchet mechanism as in FIG. 4, but inthe release position. Upward manual force on the pawl lever 40 (FIG. 5)opposes and overrides the force 46 of the torsion spring 44, and pivots52 the pawl frame 36 to move the finger 38 away from the teeth 35. Ifthe pawl frame is over-rotated 54, the finger 38 will drag along theteeth during outward pivot of the wheel retention arm to release thebike. An over-rotation stop 42 prevents this by contacting the top ofthe ratchet bar 34, stopping the rotation 52 of the pawl frame 36 causedby a user lifting the lever 40. It can be stopped at the maximumdistance of the finger 38 from the bottom of the ratchet bar.

Unlike a conventional ratchet, the pawl teeth 35 may be shallow andsymmetric, and may be produced by a series of side mill cuts, where eachmilling produces a cylindrical concavity as little as 0.010 inch (0.25mm) deep. This is because the pawl design as shown works even with atoothless ratchet bar and finger of aluminum, but providing shallowteeth/valleys as shown improves the grip of the pawl finger 38 on theratchet bar 34.

FIG. 8 is a back view of a bike carrier 1B for a trailer hitch receiveraccording to aspects of the invention. A bike 3 is mounted on thecarrier by placing its wheels 16, 17 in respective wheel trays 60, 61.These trays may be extrusions such as U-channel or V-channel that areconvex upward to retain the wheels and lock the steering of the bike.This bike carrier has the same elements and operation as the roof rackcarrier described above, but includes additional elements related tomounting the carrier to the receiver hitch of a vehicle. It may providea separate tray 60, 61 for each wheel, enabling the trays to be foldedtogether over the drawbar assembly for compact shipping and storage.

FIG. 9 is a top view of the bike carrier of FIG. 8 with the wheelretention arms 4A, 4B and 5A, 5B folded down to the wheel trays 60, 61.A trailer hitch drawbar 64A is attached to the trays via a drawbarassembly 66 comprising a horizontal crossbar 68 attached to the drawbar,and left and right vertically oriented pivot plates 70, 71 attached tothe crossbar. The drawbar has a spring-loaded push button 65A that locksthe drawbar in the hitch receiver. It has a mechanism operated by alever 96 as later described for tightening the drawbar in the receiver.A padlock 69 pay secure the drawbar in the receiver. A main trayassembly 75 comprises left and right side plates 78, 79 attached to thedrawbar assembly on a horizontal pivot axis 80, allowing the trayassembly 75 to pivot upward about the axis 80 to a compact upwardposition behind the motor vehicle. The pivot axis may be implemented bya pivot axle journaled in a pivot cross member 81 between the pivotplates 70, 71 that serves as a structural member of the drawbarassembly. The pivot position is locked with a pivot lock bar 82 operatedby a trigger bar 84 via a manual trigger 85 at the back of the main trayassembly 75. The trays 60, 61 are mounted to the main tray assembly 75by respective pivot attachments 62, 63, so they can pivot between theoperational co-aligned laterally extending position shown and a compactparallel position over the drawbar assembly 66 for shipping and storageas later shown.

An add-on tray assembly 110 with left and right side plates 115, 116 isshown in an approach position for coupling to the main tray assembly 75to support a second bike on the carrier. An add-on trigger 134 isprovided at the back of the add-on tray assembly for convenient controlof the carrier pivot lock bar 82. The add-on trigger is linked to thepivot lock bar 82 via an add-on trigger bar 108 with a latch 112 thathooks over the main trigger 85, thus controlling the main trigger bar 84as later described. Left and right upward facing slots 117, 118 receivean upper coupling bar 120 on the main tray assembly as later described.Left and right downward facing coupling hooks 123, 124 on the add-onassembly hook a lower coupling bar (not seen here) on the main trayassembly as later described.

First and second spools 99, 100 may extend laterally outward from themain tray assembly 75 and the add-on assembly respectively to retain theshackle of a lock in a waist of the spools, preventing unauthorizedremoval of the add-on tray assembly from the main tray assembly as latershown. The spools may be formed as washers or spacers for a machinescrew that connects a horizontal coupling bar 120 of the main assembly75 and a horizontal crossbar 131 of the add-on assembly to a respectiveside plate 78, 115. These may be upper or lower bars.

FIG. 10 is a side sectional view of the drawbar 64A, drawbar assembly66, and main tray assembly 75 taken on line 10-10 of FIG. 9. Thisdrawbar embodiment 64A is suitable for a 1.25 inch hitch receiver forexample. A crossbar 68 is attached to the drawbar, and a right pivotplate 71 is attached to the crossbar. The main tray assembly 75 ispivotally connected 80 to the drawbar assembly. The right pivot plate 71and a mirror image left pivot plate (not shown here) provide a selectionof pivot lock slots 86A-C. A pivot lock bar 82 is slidably mounted onthe main tray assembly 75, and falls into a selected one of these slotsunder force of a spring 83. A trigger bar 84 extends from the lock barto a trigger 85 at the back of the main tray assembly 75. Pulling thetrigger releases the pivot bar 82 from the slot 86A. The trigger bar 84is slidably mounted through trigger bar crossbars 89 in the main trayassembly 75. The trigger bar may have a floating connection to the pivotlock bar. For example, clearance 90 may be provided in the trigger bar84 around screws 91 that couple the trigger bar to the lock bar. Thefloating connection may allow at least 0.1 or 0.2 degrees of angularplay between the pivot lock bar and the trigger bar in a plane normal tothe pivot axis 80. Such connection allows the lock bar 82 to slideeasily into and out of the slots 86A-C without binding, despite minimalclearance between the lock bar and the slot. A tray lock bar 92 isslidably mounted in a vertical slot 87, and is spring loaded upward to astopping point immediately beside the trays, as shown here by right tray61. The tray lock bar is pushed down to release the trays so they can berotated together over the drawbar assembly 66 via their pivotconnections 63 to the main tray crossbar 94.

The drawbar 64A has a translation screw 95 operated by a lever 96 tomove a follower 97A along a ramp 98 or angled slot to jam the front endof the drawbar upward against the inner surface of the hitch receiver(not shown), locking it therein. The front end of the drawbar is pushedin the same direction as the weight of the bike carrier pivots it withinthe receiver, so bouncing of the motor vehicle does not stress thefollower or screw.

The lever 96 may be locked with a padlock 69 inserted through a hole 96Ain the lever so that the case of the padlock extends over the crossbar68. This blocks lever rotation by the case of the padlock hitting thecrossbar, securing the drawbar to the receiver. The direction of lockinsertion may be enforced by countersinking 96B the hole 96A only on theback end (right end in this view) and/or by filleting 96C the end of thelever on only the back edge. The hole 96A is spaced from end of thelever by an amount that barely allows the padlock to close when the caseof the lock is forward from the lever as shown. The padlock cannot beclosed in the other direction due to the curvature of the shackleinterfering with the unchamfered front edge of the hole 96B and/or theun-filleted front edge of the end of the lever. This orientation of thelock prevents the lever from being moved past the crossbar by the top ofthe shackle fitting between them. FIG. 11 is a sectional view taken online 11-11 of FIG. 10 showing the spring-loaded push button 65A in thedrawbar 64A.

FIG. 12 is a bottom view of the drawbar 64A, drawbar assembly 66, andmain tray assembly 75 as previously described. Upper and lower couplingbars 120, 126 are used as later describe to attach an add-on trayassembly to carry a second bike on the same carrier. The lower couplingbar 126 is cut away to more clearly see the end of the trigger bar 84. Anut 99 on a coupling bar 120 or 126 may be formed with a waist to holdthe shackle of a padlock in conjunction with an adjacent nut on theadd-on tray assembly to secure the add-on tray assembly to the main trayassembly 75 as later shown.

FIG. 13 is a side sectional view of a second drawbar embodiment 64B inan insert/release position. This embodiment is suitable for example fora 2-inch hitch receiver. FIG. 14 is a sectional view taken on line 14-14of FIG. 13. A crank lever 96 turns a translation screw 95 to move afollower 97B along a ramp or angled slot 102 to extend the followerbelow the drawbar as shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, pushing the front end ofthe drawbar upward against the upper inner surface of the hitch receiver(not shown). The translation screw may be mounted through a pivotelement 104 to accommodate the changing angle of the screw shaft. Thecrank lever may have a hole 96A for a lock shackle.

FIG. 15 is a sectional view taken on line 15-15 of FIG. 13, showing apush button 65B urged laterally outward from a side of the drawbar 64B.When the drawbar 64B is inserted into a hitch receiver, this button 65Bfalls into a hole in a side wall of the receiver that is conventionallyavailable for a through-pin. FIG. 16 is a side sectional view of thesecond drawbar embodiment in a tightened position. FIG. 17 is atransverse sectional taken on line 17-17 of FIG. 16.

FIGS. 18-20 are a sequence of sectional views taken along line 18-18 ofFIG. 9 to illustrate the operation of mounting of an add-on trayassembly 110 to a main tray assembly 75. Upper and lower horizontalcoupling bars 120, 126 are disposed at the back of the main trayassembly 75. The add-on tray assembly has mirror image left and rightside plates—left 115 and right 116—the right plate 116 being shown here.Left and right upward facing coupling slots 118 are disposed at a topfront part of the add-on assembly. Left and right downward facingpivoting coupling hooks 124 are disposed at a bottom front part of theadd-on assembly. In FIG. 18 the add-on assembly is moved diagonallyupward 122 as shown so that the upward facing coupling slots 118 slipover the upper coupling bar 120 of the main tray assembly 75.

FIG. 19 shows the add-on assembly being rotated downward 127 around theupper coupling bar 120 of the main tray assembly in the upward facingcoupling slots 118 so that the coupling hooks 124 engage the lowerhorizontal coupling bar by climbing over it. At the same time, the lowercoupling bar 126 slips into forward facing slots 129 in the forwardbottom end of the add-on assembly. The coupling hook 124 has a surface128 with a geometry that causes it to climb 125 over the lower couplingbar 126 when pressed against it during rotation 127 of the add-onassembly. This climbing overrides the force of a spring 130 until thehook falls over the lower coupling bar under the spring force. Theadd-on assembly is now firmly locked onto the main tray assembly, withno tools required. To release it, a handle 132 between respectivebackward extending levers of the left and right coupling hooks is pusheddownward, and the motions of FIGS. 19 and 18 are reversed. The couplingand decoupling operations can be done quickly. FIG. 20 shows theresulting coupling of the add-on tray assembly to the main trayassembly. The coupling is positive and strong enough to withstandbouncing of the motor vehicle with bikes mounted on both assemblies 75,110 and a further add-on assembly if needed.

FIG. 21 is a side sectional view of the add-on tray assembly coupled tothe main tray assembly as viewed from line 10-10 of FIG. 9 aftercoupling. This shows how the trigger bar 84 of the main tray assembly 75is operated by an add-on trigger 134 at the back of the add-on trayassembly for convenience. A spring 83 urges the pivot lock bar into theslots 86A-C. Multiple add-on tray assemblies can be chained in sequence,each one interconnected to the trigger bar of the previous assembly. Theadd-on trigger bar 108 has a latch 112 mounted on a pivot attachment 114and has a finger grip 119. This latch is seen from the top in FIG. 9.FIG. 22 shows a view as in FIG. 21 with the add-on trigger 134 beingpulled back, releasing the pivot lock bar 82 from the pivot slot 86A viathe main trigger 85.

FIG. 23 is a perspective view of a translation screw 95 with attachedlever 96. The translation screw may be a conventional bolt with a head95A having external flats as shown. The lever 96 may be formed as awrench, having a depression 96E with opposed internal flats matching andreceiving the opposed external flats of the bolt head. A bolt hole 96Dis in the bottom of the depression. The lever 96 slides over the boltfrom the end opposite the head until the head bottoms in the depression,where it is bracketed by the internal flats. The lever 96 is retained onthe bolt 95 by the bolt head, and will not come off without removing thebolt from the drawbar, which cannot be done if the drawbar is tight inthe receiver and the lever is locked as previously described. This leverdesign enables use of a conventional bolt for the translation screwwhile providing an attached lever for turning the screw and security.The opposite end of the lever has a hole 106 for the shackle of a lock.

FIG. 24 is a partial top view of a side plate 78 of the main trayassembly and a side plate 115 of the add-on tray assembly when the twoassemblies are coupled. Two spools 99, 100 extend outward from theserespective side plates, and are adjacent. A shackle 140 of a lock 141fits in the waist of the spools, locking them together. The spools maybe formed as nuts, washers, or spacers for a machine screw that connectsa horizontal coupling bar 120 of the main assembly 75 and a horizontalcrossbar 131 of the add-on assembly to a respective side plate 78, 115.These may be upper or lower coupling bars. Upper bars 120 and 131 areshown here.

FIG. 25 is a transverse sectional view of a 1.25 inch drawbar 64A with a2-inch drawbar adapter 150. The adapter may have an inverted U-shape insection as shown, and may be laterally asymmetric to provide space for apush button 65C. A spring 152 in the adapter for the button may be around wire that loops around the back of the button in a groove thereinas shown and extends forward or backward in an extruded chamber 154 ofthe drawbar, providing two parallel wires acting as both a leaf springand a button retainer.

FIG. 26 is a top view of a main tray assembly 75 with trays 60, 61folded forward about their pivotal attachments 62, 63 for shipping. Noassembly is required by the user on receipt of the product. They justunfold the trays, which automatically lock in the open position via traylock bar 92.

The drawbar designs 65A, 65B, and the drawbar adapter 150 may be usedwith other accessories for attachment to a trailer hitch receiverbesides bike carriers, such as a lawnmower carrier, spray equipment, atailgate table set, or a barbeque grill as examples.

FIG. 27 is a top view of a main tray assembly 75 and an add-on trayassembly 110, in which the trays and tray crossbars are removed forclarity. The main tray assembly 75 is pivotally mounted to a trailerhitch drawbar 64A by a pivot mechanism 67 with a horizontal pivot axis80. A pivot lock bar 178 slides forward and backward within slots in themain tray assembly side plates 78, 79. In the forward position, itenters selected pivot lock slots in the left and right pivot plates 70,71 to fix a selected pivot position of the main tray assembly relativeto the drawbar. A main trigger bar 170 is slidably mounted in the maintray assembly 75. It has a manual grip or trigger 85 at the back end ofthe main tray assembly. Pulling backward on the trigger pulls the pivotlock bar 178 out of the currently selected pivot lock slot, releasingthe pivot position. A second trigger bar 172 in the add-on tray assemblyconnects to the main trigger bar 170 when the add-on tray assembly iscoupled to the main tray assembly. It has a second manual grip ortrigger 134 for controlling the pivot mechanism 67 from the back of theadd-on tray assembly. A coupling plate 159 on each side plate 115, 116of the add-on tray assembly 110 provides coupling slots 117, 118. In anembodiment, a coupling hook 160 is manually operated by a coupling hooklever 162 outside a side plate 116 of the add-on tray assembly via acoupling hook crossbar 164 that spans between the side plates 115, 116and is rotatably mounted in each side plate. It may be journaled in astepped hole 165 in each side plate. In one embodiment, the couplinghook crossbar 164 is frictionally journaled in each side plate to holdthe coupling hook in any position within a range. This causes the hookto stay in the raised position, allowing the user to move their handfrom the lever to a convenient lifting position on the add-on trayassembly 110. An upper coupling bar 120A is shown. A lower coupling bar126A (FIG. 28) is hidden below it.

In another embodiment, the coupling hook crossbar 164 is freelyrotatably mounted to the side plates 115, 116, and is held in the closedposition by a spring 166. This allows the coupling hook 162 to climbover the lower coupling bar and close on it automatically duringcoupling as previously described. The coupling hook 160 may be locatedbetween the side plates 115, 116, for example adjacent the trigger bar172 as shown. A second coupling hook may be provided on the samecoupling bar 164 at a different lateral position if wanted. A hole 163may be provided in the coupling hook lever 162 for the shackle of asecurity lock that secures the lever to the main tray assembly when thehook 160 is in the closed position, preventing theft of the add-on trayassembly from the main tray assembly. The coupling hook retains thelower coupling bar in the lower coupling slot, preventing separation ofthe add-on tray assembly from the main tray assembly.

In an embodiment, the front end 185 of the add-on trigger bar 172automatically connects to the back end of the main trigger bar 170 aslater shown when the add-on tray assembly 110 is coupled to the maintray assembly 75. Each trigger bar 170, 172 may pass through ahorizontal slot in at least two trigger bar crossbars 174-175 and176-177 to slidably retain the trigger bar in the respective trayassembly 75, 110. The main trigger bar 170 may be inserted into ahorizontal slot 168 in the pivot lock bar 178. It may be retained by abolt or pin 179. This allows the trigger bar 170 to provide a centeredpull on the pivot lock bar. The slot 168 may enforce a perpendicularrelationship between the trigger bar and the pivot lock bar whileallowing vertical play as later described.

Each trigger bar 170, 172 is urged forward by a spring 173A. The springis not shown in the add-on trigger bar 172 to clarify the spring chamber180. The spring chamber may be a generally H-shaped cut through thetrigger bar that forms a central mandrel 180A for the spring with anentrance gap 180B for installation of the spring. This allows eachspring 173A, 173B (FIG. 28) to provide a centered spring force on therespective trigger bar 170, 172, by pushing directly against thecrossbar 175, 177 through which the trigger bar passes. A forward stop182 on the add-on trigger bar contacts a crossbar 176 to stop the add-ontrigger bar in position for automatic connection to the main trigger bar170 as later shown.

FIG. 28 is a side sectional view taken on line 28-28 of FIG. 27. A bikewheel tray 61A is shown in the main tray assembly 75. A bike wheel tray61 B is shown in the add-on tray assembly 110. The trays 61A, 61 B arepivotally mounted to the tray crossbars 94A, 94B, for example by bolts63A, 63B and low-friction spacers 183A, 183B. Each bolt may pass througha tray holding bar 59 that distributes pressure from the bolt head tothe bottom of the tray. This allows the tray to have a narrow bottom fornarrow tires. The trays are mounted on a top side of each tray assemblyto hold a bike or bikes above the assemblies for carrying the bikesbehind a motor vehicle.

A tray rotation stop 199 and tray position lock levers, later shown, maybe mounted in a slot 93 in the tray crossbar 94A, 94B to prevent thetray from pivoting forward into the compact storage position. The userpushes each tray lock lever down to allow the tray to pivot into thecompact storage position. Alternately, a tray lock bar 92 as previouslydescribed (FIGS. 10 and 26) may be slidably mounted in the slot 93 andurged upward by a spring to a stopping point beside each tray. If a traylock bar 92 is used, it may have depressions in its upper surface toreceive the width of each tray in the compact storage position to retaineach tray in the storage position.

A slot 168 in the pivot lock bar 178 may fit the front end of thetrigger bar 170 closely around the sides and front end of the triggerbar to enforce a perpendicular relationship between the trigger bar andthe pivot lock bar, but may provide enough vertical clearance to allowat least 0.1 degree of angular play between the pivot lock bar and thetrigger bar in a plane normal to the pivot axis 80. This enables thepivot lock bar to slide in and out of each of the pivot lock slots 86A-Cwithout binding, by accommodating to the exact angle of each pivot lockslot. The pin 179 may provide a floating connection that transmitslinear force from the trigger bar to the pivot lock bar while allowingthe angular play in the slot 168.

Upper and lower coupling bars 120A, 126A are shown on the back end ofthe main tray assembly 75. Upper and lower coupling bars 1208, 1268 areshown on the back end of the add-on tray assembly 110 to attach afurther add-on tray assembly if wanted. Upper and lower structuralcrossbars 131, 133 are shown near the front end of the add-on trayassembly. A hole 184 may be provided in a side plate 79, 116 of eachtray assembly 75, 110 corresponding to a hole 163 (FIG. 27) in thecoupling hook lever 162 (FIG. 27) to lock the coupling hook in theclosed position via a security lock shackle inserted through the lever.

FIG. 29 is a side sectional view of the coupling hook 160. In thisembodiment, it is pivotally mounted on a coupling hook crossbar 164 ofthe add-on tray assembly aft of the lower structural crossbar 133. Ithas a first slot 160A for the lower coupling bar 126A of the main trayassembly, and a second slot 1608 for the lower crossbar 133 of theadd-on tray assembly. In the closed position shown in FIG. 28, the hookretains the lower coupling bar 126A in the lower coupling slot 129. Thispositively connects the add-on tray assembly to the main tray assemblyin combination with upper coupling slots 117 (FIGS. 27) and 118retaining the upper coupling bar 120A, and lower coupling slots 129retaining the lower coupling bar 126A.

A machine screw 160C may be threaded into the back end of the couplinghook and inserted into an unthreaded hole in the hook crossbar 164 toattach the hook to the crossbar. This allows the hook slide slightlyalong the machine screw within fit tolerances between the hook andcrossbar 164 to accommodate to distance tolerances between the hookcrossbar 164 and the two hooked bars 126A and 133, allowing the hook toslide more easily over the two bars.

FIG. 30 is a side view of a coupling plate 159 that may be attached to,or integral with, the side plate 116 at the front end of the add-on trayassembly. It has an upper coupling slot 118 that slides over the uppercoupling bar 120A, and a lower coupling slot 129 that is orientedcircumferentially relative to a circle 135 centered in the uppercoupling slot. When the upper coupling bar 120A is fully inserted in theupper coupling slot 118, the lower coupling slot can slide over thelower coupling bar 126A by rotating the add-on bike carrying trayassembly 116 about the upper coupling bar (arrow in FIG. 32). At thispoint, the upper coupling bar cannot escape the upper coupling slotuntil the add-on bike carrying tray assembly is rotated upward toseparate the lower coupling slot from the lower coupling bar. Amechanism exemplified by the hook 160 on the add-on bike carry trayassembly, retains the lower coupling bar in the lower coupling slot. Acoupling plate 159 may be attached to the front inside surface of eachside plate 115, 116 of an add-on tray assembly 110 as shown in FIG. 27.

Alternately (not shown), the coupling plate 159 may be verticallymirrored such that coupling slot 118 is downward facing at the bottom toreceive coupling bar 126A, and coupling slot 129 is forward facing atthe top to receive coupling bar 120A. In this embodiment, the hook 160is located at the top front of the add-on assembly, and may hook overthe top coupling bar 120A from above.

FIG. 31 shows the trigger bars 170, 172 pulled back 167 by the trigger134 at the back of the add-on tray assembly 110, releasing the pivotlock bar 178 from the pivot lock slot 86A. This allows the trayassemblies 75, 110 to pivot upward to a selected slot 86B or 86C for acompact position behind the motor vehicle when bikes are not beingcarried.

FIGS. 32-34 are views taken on line 28-28 of FIG. 27 with the triggerbars removed for clarity of the hook 160. FIG. 32 shows the add-on trayassembly 110 approaching the main tray assembly 75 in a direction 169that causes the upper coupling slot 118 of the add-on tray assembly toslip over the upper coupling bar 120A of the main tray assembly.

FIG. 33 shows the upper coupling bar 120A fully inserted in the uppercoupling slot 118. The add-on tray assembly 110 is being rotated 179about the upper coupling bar to slip the lower coupling slot 129 overthe lower coupling bar 126A. The coupling hook 160 may have a surface128 that contacts the lower coupling bar with a geometry causing thecoupling hook to climb over the lower coupling bar 126A automaticallyagainst spring force during this rotation 179.

FIG. 34 shows the lower coupling bar 126A fully inserted in the lowercoupling slot 128, and the coupling hook closed over the lower couplingbar 126A. The add-on tray 110 assembly is now positively connected tothe main tray assembly 75 by interconnecting the lower coupling bar 126Aon the main tray assembly 75 to a lower structural crossbar 133 on theadd-on tray assembly, preventing separation.

FIGS. 35-37 are views taken on line 28-28 of FIG. 27 showing the add-ontray assembly 110 approaching and joining the main tray assembly 75. Thecoupling hook 160 is partly removed to more clearly show automaticconnection of the add-on trigger bar 172 to the main trigger bar 170. InFIG. 35, the add-on tray assembly is moving in a direction 169 thatcauses the upper coupling slot 118 of the add-on tray assembly to slipover the upper coupling bar 120A of the main tray assembly.

The upper front end of the add-on trigger bar 172 has a coupling surface185 that automatically mates with a corresponding coupling surface 186on the lower back end of the main trigger bar 170 during coupling of theadd-on tray assembly to the main tray assembly. For example, atransverse ridge may be provided on the upper front surface of theadd-on trigger bar that mates with a transverse groove on the lower backend of the main trigger bar and/or vice versa.

FIG. 36 shows the upper coupling bar 120A fully inserted in the uppercoupling slot 118, and the add-on tray 110 is being rotated 179 aboutthe upper coupling bar to slip the lower coupling slot 129 of the add-ontray assembly over the lower coupling bar 126A of the main trayassembly. The upper front end of the add-on trigger bar 172 slides underthe lower back end of the main trigger bar 170 on an arcuate path, andsnaps into the mating configuration of FIG. 37.

FIG. 37 shows the lower coupling bar 126A fully inserted in the lowercoupling slot 128. The front end of the add-on trigger bar 172 is nowcoupled to the back end of the main trigger bar 170, so that pullingbackward on the trigger 134 (FIG. 31) of the add-on trigger bar operatesthe pivot lock bar 178 via the main trigger bar 170.

FIG. 38 is a perspective view of a ratchet mechanism 20B for a toothlessratchet bar 34B, a cutaway portion of which is shown. A release lever192 is shown exploded. This ratchet mechanism has the same location anda similar arrangement to the ratchet mechanism 20 of FIGS. 8 and 9. Thepawl body 187 has a pivot connection 188 to a stay 22 of a retention arm4 (FIG. 8) to control the pivot position of the retention arm. Theratchet bar 34B passes through a first through-hole 189 in the pawl bodywhere it is pinched between cylindrical fingers 190, 191 to lock theratchet position as later shown. Teeth can be provided on the ratchetbar, but are not needed if the dimensions of the ratchet mechanism areoptimum. The inventor has found that this ratchet embodiment made withaluminum alloy 6005 does not slip, even when the toothless ratchet bar34B is greased. The release lever 192 may be attached to the pawl body187 for example by insertion into a second through-hole 193 in the pawlbody 187.

A pawl over-rotation stop 194 is attached to the bottom side of thelever. It stops upward rotation of the lever by contacting the bottom ofthe ratchet bar 34B as later shown. It may be formed as a wing, forexample as an extruded w-shaped wing as shown, and may be made ofplastic to provide smooth sliding along the ratchet bar in the releaseposition shown. The wing may be formed as two parallel connectedU-channels as shown, one U-channel 194A is attached to the lever 192,and the other U-channel 194B contacts the bottom and both lateral sidesof the ratchet bar 34B and slides along the ratchet bar 34B when theratchet is in the released position. This configuration keeps theratchet mechanism 20B in alignment with the ratchet bar 34B duringsliding, and holds the ratchet bar centered between the fingers 190, 191during sliding, for smooth operation.

FIG. 39 is a perspective view of the ratchet mechanism 20B as seen fromthe tray side with the lever 192 assembled into the pawl body 187.

FIG. 40 is a sectional view taken on a vertical plane through theratchet bar 34B. The retention arm stay 22 is tensioned 195 by thecross-member 25 (FIG. 2) of the retention arm 22 being jammed against abike tire. The pivot connection 188 is offset from the center ofrotation C of the pawl body 187 between the fingers 190, 191, causingthe pawl body 187 to rotate about the center C or about the lower finger191 by an angle A relative to a line P perpendicular to the ratchet bar34A, causing the fingers to pinch the ratchet bar 34B between them. Aspring S urges the pawl body 187 relative to the stay 22 toward theangle A that pinches the pawl bar.

FIG. 41 shows the ratchet mechanism 20B in the released position, whichis also shown in FIG. 39. The release lever 192 (FIG. 39) is pulled upmanually against the force of the spring S until the pawl over-rotationstop 194 stops against the ratchet bar 34B. This positions the fingers190, 191 along a line perpendicular to the ratchet bar for maximumclearance with the ratchet bar to release the retention arms 22 from thebike wheel. The stay 22 has a pivot connection 188 to the pawl. Thedistance D1 from the axis of this pivot connection to the center point Cbetween respective surfaces the two fingers 190, 191 may be 2.2 to 2.8times greater than a separation distance D2 (FIG. 42) between thesurfaces of the two fingers. This ratchet mechanism provides infiniteadjustment and minimal backlash when using a toothless ratchet bar.

FIG. 42 clarifies dimensions among elements 188, 190, and 191 of theratchet. The separation distance D2 between the surfaces of the twofingers 190, 191, may be selected to allow 5 to 15 degrees andespecially 7 to 13 degrees of rotation angle A (FIG. 40) until thefingers bind on the ratchet bar 34B. For example, the ratchet bar may be0.625 inches thick, the fingers 190, 191 may be cylindrical pins 0.5inches in diameter and 1.14 apart center-to-center, providing 0.64separation distance D2 between their surfaces, and distance D1 may be1.60 inches. This configuration provides high friction for retention.The pawl body 187 may be fabricated by extrusion with post extrusionmachining.

FIG. 43 is a sectional view taken on line 43-43 of FIG. 41 with theaddition of a bike wheel tray 61A. A second ratchet mechanism 21 B maybe provided on the opposite side of the tray as shown. Alternately, theopposite side arm 4B (FIG. 9) of the retention arm may lack a stay asshown in FIG. 9. In a ratchet embodiment 21 B shown on the right side,the fingers 190A and 191A may have enlarged heads 196 that stop againstthe outside surface of the pawl body 187. These fingers are insertedfrom the outside via channels 197 large enough for the heads 196. Whenthe pawl lever 192 is assembled into the second through-hole 193 in thepawl body, it contacts and blocks the heads 197, locking the fingers inthe pawl body.

FIG. 44 is a top view of a bike wheel tray crossbar 94A mounted betweenside plates 78, 79 of a bike wheel tray assembly. A first bike wheeltray 60A is shown in a folded position for compact storage and shipping.It has been rotated inward 198 about its pivot bolt 62A until it stopsagainst a tray rotation stop 199, which stops it in the compactposition. First and second tray position lock levers 142, 143 lock thetrays in the laterally extending operational position, which is shown bytray 61A. Each tray lock lever pivots about a pin or machine screw 146(FIG. 45), 147, and may have a forward-extending knob 144, 145 forpushing the lever down to allow rotation 198 of the tray. A spring 156urges each tray lock lever upward beside a tray as shown in FIG. 46,locking the tray in the laterally extending operational position.

FIG. 45 is a top sectional view of the bike wheel tray crossbarembodiment of FIG. 44. The tray position lock levers 146, 147 and thetray rotation stop 199 may be mounted in a slot 93 in the tray crossbar94A. The tray rotation stop 199 may be mounted by a fixed pin or screw149. A plastic washer 148 with a slightly larger diameter than the widthof each lever 142, 143 may be provided under each knob 144, 145 tocontact the bottom of each tray during folding of the tray to minimizefriction of the lever against the bottom of the tray during folding andto prevent the wear of metal on metal during folding.

FIG. 46 is a sectional view taken on line 46-46 of FIG. 44. A first bikewheel tray 60A is in the folded compact position against tray rotationstop 199. Tray position lock lever 143 is held down by the tray 60Aagainst the force of spring 156. The second tray 61A is in theoperational position. Position lock lever 142 is held upward beside thetray by spring 157, automatically blocking the tray in the operationalposition. The inside lower corner 155 of each lever 142, 143 stops theupward rotation of lever by contacting the bottom of the slot 93 inwhich the lever is retained. The lever pivot point is a pin or screw146. Diametric clearance of at least 0.05 inches between the screw 146and a hole 158 in the lever for the screw 146 may be provided. Thisallows the lever to be depressed against the bottom of the slot 93 fortray folding while also allowing it to pivot upward without its lowerinner corner 155 binding on the bottom of the slot until a predeterminedstopping point is reached that holds the lever 142 in a tray blockingposition.

While various embodiments of the present invention have been shown anddescribed herein, such embodiments are provided by way of example only.Changes and substitutions may be made without departing from theinvention herein. Accordingly, the invention should be limited only bythe intended meaning and scope of the claims.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A bike carrier for a trailer hitch receiveron a motor vehicle, the bike carrier comprising: a drawbar for thetrailer hitch receiver; a first bike carrying tray assembly attached tothe drawbar; a horizontal upper coupling bar and a horizontal lowercoupling bar on a back end of the first bike carrying tray assembly; asecond bike carrying tray assembly comprising a top front end with leftand right upward facing coupling slots that slip onto the upper couplingbar of the first bike carrying tray assembly; a bottom front end of thesecond bike carrying tray assembly comprising left and right forwardfacing coupling slots that slip onto the lower coupling bar of the firstbike carrying tray assembly when the upper coupling bar is fullyinserted within the upward facing coupling slots and the second bikecarrying tray assembly is then rotated downward about the upper couplingbar; and a mechanism that retains the lower coupling bar in the forwardfacing coupling slots when the upper and lower coupling bars are fullyinserted into the respective upward facing and forward facing couplingslots.
 2. The bike carrier of claim 1, wherein the mechanism thatretains the lower coupling bar in the forward facing coupling slotscomprises a coupling hook on the second bike carry tray assembly thatengages the lower coupling bar when the lower coupling bar is within theforward facing coupling slots, preventing separation of the lowercoupling bar from the forward facing coupling slots.
 3. The bike carrierof claim 2, wherein the coupling hook interconnects the lower couplingbar with a structural crossbar of the second bike carrying trayassembly.
 4. The bike carrier of claim 2, wherein the coupling hook ispivotally mounted on the second bike carrying tray assembly, and ithooks over the lower coupling bar when the lower coupling bar is withinthe forward facing coupling slots.
 5. The bike carrier of claim 4,wherein the coupling hook is mounted to a crossbar of the second bikecarrying tray assembly for pivotal movement.
 6. The bike carrier ofclaim 4, wherein the coupling hook comprises a first hook slot thatreceives the lower coupling bar, and a second hook slot that receives astructural crossbar of the second bike carrying tray assembly.
 7. Thebike carrier of claim 4, wherein the coupling hook comprises a surfacewith a geometry that causes the coupling hook to climb over the lowercoupling bar when said surface is pressed against the lower coupling barduring the rotation of the second bike carrying tray assembly about theupper coupling bar, wherein said climb overrides a spring force on thecoupling hook until it falls over the lower coupling bar under thespring force, retaining the lower coupling bar in the forward facingslots.
 8. The bike carrier of claim 1, further comprising: a pivot plateon the drawbar; a plurality of pivot position lock slots in the pivotplate; the first bike carrying tray assembly pivotally mounted on thepivot plate to pivot about an axis; a pivot lock bar on the first bikecarrying tray assembly that slides into a selected one of the pivotposition lock slots under force of a spring to lock a selected pivotposition of the first bike carrying tray assembly relative to the pivotplate; and a first trigger bar in the first bike carrying tray assembly,wherein the first trigger bar is connected to the pivot lock bar andextends backward therefrom to the back end of the first bike carryingtray assembly; wherein pulling the first trigger bar backward pulls thepivot lock bar out of the selected pivot position lock slot against theforce of the spring, allowing the first bike carrying tray assembly topivot to another position about the pivot plate.
 9. The bike carrier ofclaim 8, further comprising a floating connection between the firsttrigger bar and the pivot lock bar that transmits linear motion from thefirst trigger bar to the pivot lock bar while providing at least 0.1degree of angular play between the pivot lock bar and the first triggerbar in a plane normal to the pivot axis, enabling the pivot lock bar toslide in and out of each of the pivot position lock slots withoutbinding.
 10. The bike carrier of claim 8, further comprising: a secondtrigger bar slidably mounted in the second bike carrying tray assemblyand spanning from the front end to a back end thereof; wherein a backend of the first trigger bar and a front end of the second trigger barare shaped to interconnect automatically during the rotation of thesecond bike carrying tray assembly about the upper coupling bar; whereinpulling the second trigger bar backward pulls the pivot lock bar out ofthe selected pivot position lock slot via the first trigger bar.
 11. Thebike carrier of claim 10, wherein the front end of the second triggerbar comprises an upper surface with a transverse ridge or groove thatmates with a respective transverse groove or ridge in the back end ofthe first trigger bar when the second bike carrying tray assembly iscoupled to the first bike carrying tray assembly.
 12. The bike carrierof claim 1, further comprising; an elongated tray on the first bikecarrying tray assembly that holds a wheel of a bike in an uprightposition from below; a retention arm pivotally connected to the tray;and a cross member on the retention arm that presses inward against atire of the bike wheel at a position above an axle of the bike wheelwith a force maintained by tension in a stay pivotally connected betweenthe retention arm and a ratchet mechanism on the tray; the ratchetmechanism comprising a pawl slidably mounted on a ratchet bar on thetray, a finger on the pawl that jams against the ratchet bar to stop theratchet from sliding, a pawl lever that releases the finger from theratchet bar, and an over-rotation stop on the pawl that prevents thepawl from rotating in a release direction to a position that drags thefinger against the ratchet bar.
 13. The bike carrier of claim 12,wherein the over-rotation stop contacts the ratchet bar and stopsrotation of the pawl in the release direction at a release position ofthe pawl.
 14. The bike carrier of claim 12, wherein the pawl comprisesfirst and second fingers on opposite sides of the ratchet bar that pinchthe ratchet bar between them when a the pawl is rotated 5 to 15 degreesfrom a position in which the fingers are directly opposed to each otheracross the ratchet bar on a common perpendicular to the ratchet bar, andthe over-rotation stop comprises a wing attached to the lever of thepawl, wherein a U-channel portion of the wing contacts and slides alongthe bottom and lateral sides of the ratchet bar in a release position ofthe pawl at which the ratchet bar is centered between the fingers. 15.The bike carrier of claim 14, further comprising a pivot connection ofthe stay to the pawl, wherein a distance between an axis of a pivotconnection of the stay to the pawl and a center point between respectivesurfaces the two fingers is 2.2 to 2.8 times greater than a separationdistance between the surfaces of the two fingers.
 16. The bike carrierof claim 14, wherein said opposite sides of the ratchet bar aretoothless, providing infinite adjustability within a sliding range ofthe pawl on the ratchet bar.
 17. A bike carrier for a trailer hitchreceiver on a motor vehicle, the bike carrier comprising: a drawbar forthe trailer hitch receiver; a first bike carrying tray assembly attachedto the drawbar; first and second coupling bars on a back end of thefirst bike carrying tray assembly; a second bike carrying tray assemblycomprising a front end with a first coupling slot that slides over thefirst coupling bar, and a second coupling slot orientedcircumferentially relative to a circle centered in the first couplingslot, wherein the second coupling slot slides over the second couplingbar when the first coupling bar is fully inserted within the firstcoupling slot and the second bike carrying tray assembly is then rotatedabout the first coupling bar toward the second coupling bar; and amechanism that retains the second coupling bar in the second couplingslot.
 18. The bike carrier of claim 17, wherein the first bike carryingtray assembly further comprises: first and second bike wheel carryingtrays for holding respective first and second wheels of a bike; eachbike wheel carrying tray pivotally mounted to the first bike carryingtray assembly for pivoting of said trays between a co-aligned laterallyopposed operational position and a forward position for compact shippingand storage; and a wheel tray lock bar slidably mounted in the bikecarrying tray assembly and spring-loaded upward to a stopping pointimmediately beside the bike wheel carrying trays, automatically andreleasably locking said trays in the operational position.
 19. The bikecarrier of claim 17, further comprising: the first bike carrying trayassembly attached by a pivot mechanism to the drawbar for pivoting thefirst bike carrying tray assembly about a horizontal pivot axis to aselectable pivot position that is released via a first trigger barslidably mounted in the first bike carrying tray assembly, the firsttrigger bar comprising a first manual grip at the back end of the firstbike carrying tray assembly; and a second trigger bar slidably mountedin the second bike carrying tray assembly, the second trigger barcomprising a second manual grip at a back end of the second bikecarrying tray assembly; the second trigger bar further comprising afront end that automatically connects to a back end of the first triggerbar when the second bike carrying tray assembly is coupled to the firstbike carrying tray assembly; wherein the selectable pivot position isreleasable from the back end of the second bike carrying tray assemblyvia the second manual grip acting through the first and second triggerbars when the second bike carrying tray assembly is coupled to the firstbike carrying tray assembly.
 20. The bike carrier of claim 19, furthercomprising a spring mounted in the first trigger bar in a generallyH-shaped cut through the trigger bar that forms a central mandrel forthe spring with an entrance gap in the mandrel for installation of thespring; wherein the spring pushes against a crossbar of the first trayassembly through which the trigger bar passes, urging the first triggerbar forward.
 21. The bike carrier of claim 17, wherein the first bikecarrying tray assembly further comprises: first and second bike wheelcarrying trays for holding respective first and second wheels of a bike;and each bike wheel carrying tray pivotally mounted to the first bikecarrying tray assembly for pivoting of said trays between a co-alignedlaterally opposed operational position and a forward position forcompact shipping and storage; wherein each bike wheel carrying tray isassociated with a respective tray position lock lever pivotally mountedto the first bike carrying tray assembly and urged upward by a spring toa position adjacent a side of the tray in the operational position ofthe tray, preventing rotation of the tray to the forward position;wherein pushing down the tray position lock lever allows the tray topivot to the forward position.
 22. The bike carrier of claim 21, furthercomprising: a tray crossbar mounted transversely between first andsecond side plates of the first bike carrying tray assembly; the firstand second bike wheel carrying trays pivotally mounted to the traycrossbar; each respective tray position lock lever mounted in a slot inthe tray crossbar by a pivot pin or screw passing through the lever,wherein a first end of each tray position lock lever pivots upward underforce of the spring until a lower corner of an opposite end of the trayposition lock lever stops against a bottom surface of the slot in thetray crossbar.
 23. The bike carrier of claim 22 wherein the pivot pin orscrew passes through a hole in the tray position lock lever withdiametric clearance of at least 0.05 inches, wherein the tray positionlock lever can be depressed against the bottom surface of the slot inthe tray crossbar to allow tray folding, and can pivot upward therefromwithout said lower corner thereof binding against the bottom surface ofthe slot until said lower corner stops against the bottom surface of theslot at a predetermined tray blocking position beside the tray.